Oklahoma scientist testing soil to solve Amelia Earhart mystery

Norman, Okla.  Research will continue on material resembling soil or human feces in the hopes of solving the mystery of famed aviator Amelia Earhart’s disappearance 74 years ago.

University of Oklahoma researcher Cecil Lewis said at news conference Thursday that he should have more information on the material in three months. On Wednesday, Lewis announced that tests were inconclusive on whether bone fragments found on the island of Nikumaroro Island were human.

The International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery found the pieces of bone while on an expedition to the island, located about 1,800 miles south of Hawaii.

Director Ric Gillespie has said the group uncovered old makeup and glass bottles from the 1930s that suggest Earhart and navigator Fred Noonan may have died as castaways on the island.